All through coaching camp and the preseason, the Orlando Magic emphasised specializing in their course of and honing in on the main points as the following steps of their rebuild.
The Magic’s progress will get their first actual take a look at in season opener towards the Pistons on Wednesday at Little Caesars Enviornment in Detroit.
Whereas they don’t depend within the standings, preseason video games matter. They permit for knowledge assortment, lineup/rotation experimentation and gamers to get a greater really feel for his or her teammates.
In addition they assist coaches and gamers see what else must be improved. For the Magic, meaning higher ball safety, higher defensive rotations that ought to minimize down on the fouls and selecting up on the opponent’s defensive coverages faster.
All issues are labored on throughout preseason, however they’ll have a greater understanding as soon as video games begin to depend towards the win-loss file.
“If we concentrate on the method of doing the precise factor, the result will handle itself,” coach Jamahl Mosley stated after Tuesday’s observe, earlier than the staff departed for Detroit. “We’ll proceed to have fun the small successes with this staff however specializing in doing the precise factor, enjoying the precise means with that stage of consistency is admittedly vital for our group of men.”
Whereas the Magic prioritize themselves, excecuting a gameplan with scouting intel is part of it.
Meaning slowing down the Pistons in transition, particularly after rebounds, and discovering holes in Detroit’s switch-almost-everything defensive scheme.
“They push the basketball and assault that paint,” Mosley stated. “Their protection is one thing that’s been very distinctive in that they’re some of the switching groups all through the league. Our skill to attain towards switching must be on level. Our understanding of the place we’re happening cuts [and] how our spacing has obtained to be correct is essential for us.”
When requested what a profitable season-opener would appear like, a number of folks from the staff centered on improvement.
“Hopefully, we are able to sort of present what we labored on final yr,” second-year ahead Franz Wagner stated, “and this yr additionally.”
However in addition they wish to win.
“Clearly I wish to play nicely,” stated Paolo Banchero, the No. 1 decide in June’s draft who’ll be making his regular-season debut. “But when we win, that trumps every part.”
Markelle Fultz (fractured left huge toe), Gary Harris (left knee rehabilitation), Jonathan Isaac (left knee rehabilitation) and Moe Wagner (sprained proper midfoot) had been listed as out for Wednesday.
The season opener suggestions off at 7 p.m. and may be watched on Bally Sports activities Florida/Bally Sports activities+ or listened to on FM 96.9 The Sport.
This text first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Electronic mail Khobi Worth at khprice@orlandosentinel.com or comply with him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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